This tool lets you run a script directly from Notepad++ whether or not it has ever been saved to a file, making it handy as a quick code tester and for easily running your scripts as you develop them. It will also run a text selection as a script if you just want to test a certain few lines of code. It runs the selected text or a never-saved script through a pipe (thank you to Lexikos for run dynamic script through a pipe and HotKeyIt for the RunTempScript function in same thread). You can set it up to run from the menu, a shortcut key, and/or a toolbar button. Follow the steps below to implement it.

Usage:
Once you have it set up per below as a menu item, shortcut key, toolbar button, or all three, it will do the appropriate one of the following:

If text is selected, it will run the selection as an AHK script through a pipe (no file is created).

If no text is selected and the file has been saved to a file, it will save it again if there were changes since the last save, then run the script from its saved location.

If no text is selected and the file has never been saved, it will run the entire script through a pipe (no file is created).

Setup:
1. Download and unzip the attached file, which contains the script and a bmp image file (only needed if you will be creating a toolbar button).

(updated 2017-05-05 with version that ensures proper working directory)

2. Create a Menu Item in Notepad++

In Notepad++, go to the "Run" menu and select "Run..." (or the equivalent if your NP++ menus are in a language other than English)

In the window that appears, click the "..." button to browse and identify the RunScript_notepad++.ahk script you just saved. You'll need to change the file type to "All files : (*.*)" to see .ahk files.

After you have selected the file, click the "Save..." button in the "Run..." window. In the "Shortcut" window that appears, enter "Run Script" for the name and select a keyboard shortcut if you'd like (although it's not necessary), then click "OK".

Click "Cancel" in the "Run..." window. You should now see a menu item under the "Run" menu called "Run Script". You can now run it from the menu.

3. Create a Button on the Toolbar (Optional)

If you haven't already, install the "Customize Toolbar" plugin using the "Plugin Manager".

Also if you haven't done so already, in the "Plugins" menu, select "Customize Toolbar" and select "Custom Buttons" (it will have a check mark next to it when it has been selected).

Go to the Notepad++ plugin config folder (typically "C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Notepad++\plugins\config") and edit the file "CustomizeToolbar.btn". It will probably have two example lines in it if you just enabled Custom Buttons for the first time, which you can delete (if you don't delete them, a hammer icon will appear on the toolbar for each). Add the line below and save the file.Run,Run Script,,,Run btn.bmp ("Run" needs to match whatever the menu actually is in your language)

Copy or move the "Run btn.bmp" file from the zip file to the config folder.

Restart Notepad++. You should see a new button on the toolbar that will run your scripts.

I assume that plugin doesn't run just the selection if you have selected text. This lets you use the same key or button to run either the the whole file or just the selection if there is some text selected when you invoke it.

I replaced the zip file in the first post with a new one that contains an updated script that ensures the default working directory is correct. You can make the change in your copy of the script directly by replacing this line:

I decided to start using Versioning in my AHK script names, and all of the sudden when I use this tool, it will only run the previously saved filename that doesn't have a version number, as though it has been cached somehow... having a number (1.43) in the filename seems to be an issue.

As part of my troubleshooting, I've manually launched the versioned file from Explorer without a problem, and have renamed the newest file to exclude a version number, but yet different from the previously saved prior to a version number, which also is not a problem from Notepad++.

Is there something goofy going on with my setup or can anyone else see this issue?

boiler wrote:When it's not acting right, what is it showing as the script name in the title bar of Notepad++? And is it showing the full path in the title bar?

It's showing the full path from the Root directory all the way to the extension (ie. C:\directory\another directory\name of the script.ahk), which so happens to be in the same directory as the non-numbered and working test file.

That your script is excellent, I've already said. That there is a little bit to optimize, I don't have said, because I've seen this after heavy using.
You probably did not notice, but when the search-window of Notepad++ is open, the script isn't working.

I looked inside for modifying but I get headache by seeing all the DLLCall.
For me, modifying your script is impossible.
Maybe for you it is just a little step.

This is not criticism, it's feedback. If the script can capture the open search-window or not, it is still very, very useful.
Recommended to insert into permanent running background-script.